E.coli detected in parts of South San Diego water supply

Jun 18, 2023

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SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — The Boil Water Advisory for California American Water customers in Imperial Beach, Coronado (south of Fiddlers Cove), parts of Chula Vista, and parts of San Diego has been lifted.

California American Water released the following: Effective Saturday, August 26th at 4:36pm the boil water advisory has been lifted and customers in California American Water’s San Diego County District no longer need to boil water or consume bottled water.

The advisory was lifted Saturday after water sampling confirmed the water was clean and safe to consume. The County had been made aware of potential E. coli contamination on Thursday when the advisory was first issued.

In a briefing on Friday, county and health officials said they were made aware of the contamination around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday and could not confirm the cause of the bacteria. They emphasized that the estimated 300 food facilities in impacted areas were to discontinue operations during the advisory.

For the advisory to be lifted, officials said they must receive at least two clean samples from laboratory testing that confirmed the absence of bacteria in the water supply.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The State Water Resources Board issued a boil water advisory for Imperial Beach, Coronado south of Fiddlers Cove, Chula Vista, and parts of San Diego.

The advisory is in effect for Cal America Water Company customers located in parts of:

The advisory is in effect from 8/24/2023 8:00 PM PDT until 8/27/2023 11:00 AM PDT.

For the latest water alert information from California American Water, click here.

In a briefing on Friday at 11 a.m., county officials said they were made aware of the contamination around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday and cannot confirm the cause of the bacteria. They emphasized that the estimated 300 food facilities in impacted areas must discontinue operations during the advisory.

When asked when the advisory would be lifted, they confirmed that active water testing was being done. Before officials consider lifting the advisory, at least two clean samples must be taken.

WATCH: Boil Water Advisory Update | Full San Diego County briefing Friday, Aug 25 11 a.m.

Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre said there are still many unanswered questions about what led to this boil water advisory being issued. "My most important thing is I want to understand the cause," she said. "What was the source of this pollution? So we can prevent this from happening in the future."She said she discovered California American Water Company received a positive test for E. coli on Monday.

San Diego County officials confirm that is true. However, a spokesperson told CBS 8, per state guidelines, you need two positive tests to issue a boil water advisory, and you must wait 24 hours after the first positive test before you can do a second test.

"We are a working-class community. We have working families being affected that are in pain," said Mayor Aguirre.

She said she wants the city council to look into this matter.

On Friday afternoon, Brian Barreto, External Affairs Manager for California American Water, told CBS 8 that they take 26 weekly samples. This week, 1 sample came back with levels of E. coli.

Barreto said that the sample was taken from a faucet on the side of a building. The company believes the exterior part of the sampling (the faucet) may have been contaminated. He said no other samples came back infected, and there has been no other breach in their water system.

The company took another sample from the same faucet Friday morning and expects those results back Friday afternoon.

Friday night, they will take a second sample and will get those results on Saturday. They are expecting both tests to be negative, and if they are, they hope to lift the boil order this weekend.

In an email sent to parents, San Ysidro School District announced on Friday they decided to close all schools in the district due to the boil water advisory in effect. All staff were told to stay home and be on standby.

By midday Friday, San Ysidro school officials were made aware their water comes from the City of San Diego and was not impacted by the boil water advisory.

"Our district has received further clarification from our water authority partners, and it has been determined that the boil water notice impacts none of our schools. The City of San Diego has confirmed that they are the exclusive water provider to our schools. The City of San Diego water is safe for all school-related activities such as drinking, cooking, bathrooms, and hand washing," said Superintendant Gina Potter of San Ysidro School District.

San Ysidro School District schools are expected to resume normal operations Monday, August 28.

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"The drinking water system has tested present for E.coli bacteria," the State Water Resources Board.

Authorities said E. coli bacteria indicated the water may be contaminated with human or animal waste.

“I’ve never dealt with it, ever, in southern California, and I’ve been here for 55 years," said Imperial Beach resident Yvonne Vasquez.

"Health effects can include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. E. coli may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.

“It’s terrifying because I had to drink 12 ounces of water cause I had to take a certain pill this morning before the warning came out. Now I’m like… am I going to get sick?" added Vasquez.

Officials recommended boiling all water for three minutes and to let the water cool before you use it.

Bottled water was encouraged for drinking, brushing teeth, and preparing food until further notice.

Restaurants and other businesses were forced to discontinue operations immediately. Public swimming pools, spas, and water features must also stop operations and close access to bathers.

Some worry the closures will impact businesses.

“They’re losing some money," said one tourist.

“I think it impacts it a lot. Not just the fact the beaches have been closed for over 600 days, but it just impacts the whole reputation of the city... and that’s terrible. That’s a much larger effect," said Vasquez.

The boil water advisory from the State Water Resources Control Board comes as communities in the South Bay also deal with beach closures due to sewage contamination.

Handwashing

Bathing and showering

The advisory remained in effect until laboratory results confirmed the absence of bacteria in the water supply.

Affected customers will be contacted directly by Cal American Water Company with additional information., according to the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services.

For more best practices when under a boil water advisory, click here.

Due to the boil water advisory notice, CalAm is providing 1 case of water for residents impacted. Water may be picked up at California American Water, Operation Center, 1025 Palm Avenue, Imperial Beach, CA 91932

In an effort to support Cal American customers, the City of San Diego is distributing drinking water at the following locations. Bottled Water: Montgomery-Waller Community Park, 2915 Palm Avenue, 92154. Open until 7 p.m. this evening, and will reopen at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

WATCH RELATED: Boil water advisory issued for parts of south San Diego County